Eastside knocks out Prairie Heights

The Blazers, who only gained four first downs, took a 7-0 lead one minute into the contest on a four-yard pass from P.J. Dean to Tristan Sprunger. With 1:29 left in the second quarter, a 78-yard pass from Conner Dove to Dean set up a three-yard scoring jaunt by Dean.

Just before halftime, Dove hit Ty Lockhart with a 52-yard touchdown toss, giving the Blazers a 20-0 cushion.

Prairie Heights cut the difference to 20-7 late in the third period when Kyler West dove into the end zone from a yard out. But early in the fourth stanza, Kadis Renier broke loose on an 87-yard touchdown burst to put the hosts up by a 26-7 count.

Corey Johnson found paydirt on a one-yard run to account for the other Panther touchdown.

Renier finished the game with 143 yards for Eastside, which wound up 3-5 in the NECC.

Dylan Stayner rushed for 63 yards to lead the Panther ground attack. West completed four passes for 91 yards. Two of his aerials went to Zach Shepard, covering 80 yards.

Prairie Heights finishes 4-4 in the NECC. The Panthers, 4-5 overall, host 0-9 Wabash in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs this Friday at Hubert Cline Field.